Why Those With Kidney Disease Need Healthy Mouths

The link between kidney disease and poor oral health just keeps getting stronger and stronger.

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), reports that toothless adults may be more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) than adults with teeth.

In the study, conducted at Case Western Reserve University, toothlessness (endentulism) was found to be significantly associated with CKD, indicating that oral care may play a role in reducing the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the U.S. population.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University studied 4053 adults that were at least 40 years old (most were older) to investigate the link between CKD periodontal infection, and endentulism. CKD was considered a moderate to severe reduction of kidney function.

The class for periodontal disease was wider, including those with infection but no periodontal disease, minimal loss of tooth attachment and gums that bled upon probing (indicating inflammation) and full-blown periodontal disease, as well as edentulous patients who lost their teeth because of advanced periodontal disease.

The results were astounding, indicating that those with any level of periodontal infection or disease, including those with minor gum loss, were at a increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease.

Research has also linked poor oral health with heart disease, diabetes and other life-threatening conditions.

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